While many are sitting back, patiently waiting for the arrival of the BMW M6, German tuner Alpina has been hard at work on a project that will shed some light on the future model. Their new B6 Biturbo Coupe may not be as impressive as the upcoming M6, which is rumored to deliver about 600 HP, but it’s here now. Plus, we’re sure Alpina left enough room for a new tuning package for the M6.
But back to their Alpina B6 Biturbo Coupe. The B6 is an evolution of the old 507 HP B6 cabrio, but uses an aluminum twin-turbo 4.4-liter V8, equipped with MAHLE pistons and a high-performance cooling system. This setup is give for a total output of 540 HP and 516 lb-ft of torque. With the extra power, the B6 Biturbo will sprint from 0 to 60 mph in 4.4 seconds and will hit a top speed of 198 mph. Alpina has also opted for a Akrapovic titanium exhaust system that will make the car sound better than ever and, of course, a new set of 20" Alpina Classic rims fitted with Michelin Pilot Super Sport tires.
For the aerodynamic updates, the B6 BiTurbo Coupe has been fitted with a front spoiler, an integrated carbon fiber front splitter, and a rear spoiler with an optional rear wing. The interior was also revamped with a sport steering wheel, hand-stitched in LAVALINA leather, blue illuminated entry sills, a navigation system with preparation for Bluetooth mobile phone, USB audio interface, Xenon lights, and LED fog lights.
For all of the tuning projects that have been done on the BMW 1-Series M Coupe, it seemed a little surprising that we haven’t heard a whole lot from the popular 1M at the 2011 SEMA Auto Show other than the ’Black Knight’ vehicle that RevoZport was building.
Apparently, a second 1M Coupe has officially booked its attendance in Las Vegas.
This one comes from renowned suspension specialists, H&R Springs, who built a program for the 1M Coupe that centers on a number of high-end performance parts. That’s not to say that they didn’t work on the car’s aesthetics because they did dress it up with some decals bearing the unmistakable M-Series livery to go with some sticky jewel graphics.
To give the car the perfect stance and performance handling of a true M-Series, H&R Springs provided it with its own Sport Suspension set-up that lowered the car by 1.2" on the front and 0.6" on the rear. H&R also added their own Sport Sway Bars on the front (27mm) and rear (23mm) of the sports car. These bars come with forged ends and are made from HF wire, a material that’s unique to the industry because it’s heat treated and shot peened. The last of H&R Springs’ performance parts is the Trak+ Wheel Spacers, installed to perfectly space the wheels and tires in fender wells, and allow for wheel clearance of the big Brembo calipers.
As for contributions made by its contemporaries, the 1M Coupe’s new 19" wheels were provided by BBS and its new Super RS wheels and has been fitted with Continental ExtremeContact DW tires. As for the Brembo brakes, H&R Springs opted to go with the Brembo GT 380mm Big Brake Kit with matching blue calipers from Custom Motorsport.
UPDATE 11/08/2011: We have added new images of the BMW 1-Series M Coupe by H&R Springs from its official debut at the 2011 SEMA Auto Show. Check them out in the picture gallery.
The onslaught of previews leading up the 2011 SEMA Auto Show is intensifying by the day, especially since the doors in Las Vegas will open exactly one week from today.
One car program that we have our eyes on comes courtesy of RevoZport and their new tuning program for the BMW 1-Series M Coupe. The tuning company hasn’t released photos of the car yet, but they did release an impressive three-minute teaser of the car as it undergoes final preparations before it is unveiled at SEMA.
The list of modifications are pretty extensive for the car RevoZport is calling the ’Black Knight.’ Among the more notable additions to the 1-Series M Coupe program include a RevoZ P-450 Performance kit, an Alcohol Injection Systems trunk mounted meth-tank, a full race exhaust, and a new charge-pipe.
Aerodynamically, RevoZport gave the Black Knight plenty of carbon fiber components on the exterior and interior, while also providing custom powder coating and body work courtesy of The SHOP; Helix Films satin wrap and logos by SkinzWraps; a welded-in Piper Motorsport cage; Sparco Pro2000 seats with 6-point harnesses; a Moton Club Sport remote reservoir double adjustable suspension with TMS mounts and Vorshlag camber plates; a Performance Friction Z-Rated big brake kit; and a set of 18" Forgeline GA3R wheels.
The 1-Series M Coupe Black Knight was customized for a specific client and once the SEMA Auto Show is over, he’ll have a set of wheels that the rest of us can only drool over.
Mercedes is hitting it big with their AMG division and the BMW is starting to take notice. The BMW M division has come to terms with the fact that they will need a bespoke model to take on AMG’s SLS supercar creation, but so far, top execs aren’t buying it.
"From an engineering perspective, we have the skills and we’d love to do it," product development chief Albert Biermann told Autocar in a recent interview. "We’ve discussed it several times but we’ve never been able to make the business case. Everything we do has to make money."
Biermann brought up one possibility in an M version for the current generation Z4: "There are days when it hurts not to have one but there was no business case at the time when the decision was taken. We are trying to make a case but there are so many factors to consider."
BMW’s main focus right now is in developing alternative powertrains to move along with the greener times, such as the 1.5 liter inline 3 engine with two electric motors found in the future i8. However, if BMW wants to get in good with the supercar segment, a real M supercar is still required.
Back in July 2011, BMW pulled the covers off of the BMW M3 DTM Concept Car, a vehicle that was to be the basis of the actual racer that will compete in the 2012 DTM season. Just a few short months later, the German automaker has officially revealed the actual M3 DTM in all its M Performance regalia.
During the official unveiling, BMW Motorsport Director Jens Marquadt talked about the process that went into building the race car. "The car’s aerodynamics were developed in close collaboration with the engineers from series production," he said. The BMW Group boasts impressive resources in this field and the wind tunnels are ultra-modern. This – and the Title Partner BMW M Performance Accessories – shows that the entire company is behind the 2012 DTM project and is working hard towards it."
As far as appearances go, the M3 DTM Race Car was inspired by the original M3 cars that raced in the ’old DTM,’ particularly the white finish with red and blue decals running all around the car. "The design is both traditional and modern in equal measures," Marquadt pointed out. "It shows our roots, but in a contemporary style."
The BMW M3 DTM is expected to carry a powerful V8 engine that has been equipped with an air restrictor to deliver 480 horsepower, hit 0-60 mph in just three seconds, and carry a top speed of 186 mph.
Despite already being unveiled, the M3 DTM Race Car will only begin its first full DTM season next year under the banner of three racing teams: BMW Team RBM, BMW Team RMG, and BMW Team Schnitzer.
